In my opinion, you have a potential gold mine for going to
permaculture. Though monocrop plantations aren't the best, it is easy
enough to use the established plantation as a nursery for what you want to do. Also, depending on the
trees and plantation, while making room, you can make a product. A small portable sawmill (they can be very reasonably priced, especially used) will allow you to cut your own
wood for construction, as well as for
sell if there is a
local market. All the waste can be used to create swales. Just place the logs sideways on the slopes, immediate benefit.
Think like nature as well, how does nature prevent the whole world from being a forest? Fire normally and landslides. (yeah, landslides do occur even when there are trees) Not suggesting using fire, but use a chainsaw to clear out clearings inside the plantations, the trees around create a wonderful buffer, and you an use drop trees to build your growing beds.
I like to push over trees too, down hill, creates wonderful swales. (can you tell I am into no work swales?)
Even clear cut isn't too bad if they left all the tops, etc. Better to have one though that isn't.
